‘Pakistan speed’ and ‘China speed’ will unite to massively expedite work on CPEC projects: PM Sharif
Karachi: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has said that ‘Pakistan speed’ and ‘China speed’ will unite to massively expedite the work on China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects.
Speaking to journalists here, the PM maintained that the government would request China to formally incorporate the Karachi Circular Railway project in the CPEC.
“Initially, the Chinese government had hinted at including the KCR in the CPEC; however, I would take up the matter again. The work on CPEC projects will be expedited massively. Pakistan speed and China speed will unite for development and progress,” he added.
During the meeting, the PM and the CM discussed the development projects including Karachi Circular Railway, drinking water supply and public transport system.
The Sindh Chief Minister gave a detailed presentation on the development projects including water supply and transportation.
The Prime Minister assured the provincial government of all-out support of his government for the uplift of the port city.
He contended that besides Orange, Green and Red lines services, an air-conditioned bus service was also equally essential for the city for which the private companies could be engaged with the financial support of the federal and provincial governments.
Earlier in the day, the PM chaired a high-level meeting here to discuss Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP)-related development projects in Sindh and outstanding issues between the federal and provincial governments.
Prime Minister Sharif urged all to work hard for the development of all the provinces, poverty alleviation, and to eliminate unemployment.
PM Sharif, who was on a day-long maiden visit to the Sindh metropolis after taking charge of the office, issued directives for early completion of K-IV bulk water project, construction of all the roads of the city’s industrial areas, and financially support to the provincial government in the procurement of buses for Bus Rapid Transport (BRT) projects.
The PM was told that in 2016, the Karachi Circular Railway (KCR) project was recommended by the 6th Joint Coordination Committee (JCC) for inclusion in the CPEC projects.
The project was approved by Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) at a cost of Pakistani Rs 207.546 billion in 2017 under CPEC funding. Now the project has been revised by ECNEC the in 2022 for Rs 181 billion to be taken up under the Private-Public Partnership (PPP) mode.
At this, Shehbaz Sharif mentioned that under the PPP mode the project would be delayed, and decided to include it in the CPEC projects.
The PM informed that the augmentation works of K-IV would cost Rs 52.34 billion. The augmentation works include connectivity of the outlet of reservoirs being developed under the Greater Bulk Water Supply Scheme (phase-I 260 MIGD) to the main KWSB system in the city.
The Chief Minister requested the Prime Minister to finance Rs 10 billion for K-IV augmentation works because the funds committed by donor agencies would flow in January 2023. At this, the PM pledged that his government would support the Sindh government to complete augmentation works well in time.
The meeting was attended by Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah and his cabinet members, Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, Khuwaja Izhar and Kanwar Naveed of Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan, Khakan Abbasi, Ahsan Iqbal, Mariam Aurangzeb and Miftah Ismail of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, Akram Durani and Maulana Assad Mahmood of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl. Concerned government officers were also present.
